Crown Royal Maker Will Mediate Whiskey Trademark Claims

By Kira Lerner

Law360, New York (February 11, 2014, 1:35 PM ET) -- The maker of Crown Royal whiskey agreed to mediate its claims against a smaller rival it accuses of illegally copying the name and packaging of the well-known Canadian whiskey, telling a Texas federal judge on Monday it wished to reach an amicable resolution.

The U.S. subsidiary of global beverage giant Diageo PLC told the court it consents to mediation after Texas liquor distributor Mexcor Inc. rejected its proposals to settle the litigation over the “Crown Club” whiskey Mexcor sells in small bags similar to the purple...